Solving the civics crisis begins at home
As the election results in Virginia and elsewhere demonstrate, many parents are upset with how American history and civics are being taught in schools. And it’s hard to blame them.
Embry Health fined $207K, ordered to cease COVID-19 testing
The state Department of Health today ordered Embry Health to immediately cease and desist collecting specimens for COVID-19 tests in Hawaii.
Academy of Art tags volleyball Vuls with costly loss
If the UH-Hilo volleyball team misses the postseason, a four-set loss to Academy of Art will likely be a key reason.
Honokaa earns first victory with 29-6 win against Kohala
HONOKAA — Coach Fred Lau hinted at as much each of the past two weeks, and the third time did the trick.
Woman found not guilty in death of child
A not guilty verdict was reached Thursday in the trial of a 47-year-old Waimea woman charged with the 2017 murder of a Waimea toddler.
Police seek info on stolen bee hives
Police are seeking information from the public about the theft of several bee hives from a farm in Keaau.
Ige releases funds for Hakalau Stream Bridge
Gov. David Ige has released $700,000 in capital improvement project funding to finance the design for the rehabilitation of the Hakalau Stream Bridge on Hawaii Belt Road north of Hilo.
Affordable Hilo housing project clears hurdle
The Windward Planning Commission on Thursday granted a state land use boundary amendment to a proposed affordable housing project of up to 90 units for seniors and families in Hilo.
Boys and Girls Club adds additional afterschool program in West Hawaii
The Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island has added a new afterschool program in South Kona at the Kona Hongwanji Mission, increasing its reach to five sites in West Hawaii with plans for a sixth.
Hilo airport runway work to start Saturday
The Hawaii Department of Transportation Airports Division informs the public of night runway work at Hilo International Airport.
Astronomy community praises survey’s recommendations: Report calls for $800M in federal funds for TMT
A recommendation to the federal government that it fund several large astronomy projects including the Thirty Meter Telescope is “ambitiously pragmatic,” astronomers said Thursday.
Could take ‘four or five years’ for TMT to receive funding
Despite a strong recommendation that the federal government provide funding to the Thirty Meter Telescope, it likely will take at least “four or five years” before that project receives the money.
Hawaii’s top court rules against ‘gut and replace’ bills
HONOLULU — The Hawaii Supreme Court on Thursday ruled in favor of two government watchdog groups who sued to stop the Legislature’s use of “gut and replace” tactics on legislation.
US mandates vaccines or tests for big companies by Jan. 4
Tens of millions of Americans who work at companies with 100 or more employees will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 4 or get tested for the virus weekly under government rules issued Thursday.
State briefs for November 5
Connors approved as US attorney for Hawaii
Biden administration sues Texas over new voting restrictions
AUSTIN, Texas — The Biden administration on Thursday sued Texas over new election laws that outlasted a summer of dramatic protests by Democrats, who remain unable in Congress to pass legislation they say is needed to counteract a year of Republicans adding restrictive voting measures nationwide.
Witnesses: Threat, lunge for gun from 1st Rittenhouse victim
KENOSHA, Wis. — The first man shot by Kyle Rittenhouse on the streets of Kenosha was “hyperaggressive” that night, threatened to kill Rittenhouse and later lunged for his rifle just before the 17-year-old fired, witnesses testified Thursday.
Countries pledge to cut heavily polluting coal, with caveats
GLASGOW, Scotland — In the fight to curb climate change, several major coal-using nations announced steps Thursday to wean themselves — at times slowly — off of the heavily polluting fossil fuel.
New grand jury seated as Trump criminal probe continues
NEW YORK — New York prosecutors investigating former President Donald Trump’s business dealings have convened a new grand jury to hear evidence in the probe as the previous panel’s term was set to run out, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press Thursday.
Your Views for November 5
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Obituaries for November 5
Nathan Denis Astrande, 44, of Keaau died Oct. 13 at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Born in Hilo and raised in Keaau, he was a driver for Hawaii Food Alliance. Services at a later date. Survived by daughters, Shanaya Astrande-Pacheco (Mitchell Souza) and Shaiann Astrande of Keaau; mother of daughters, Shaydee Pacheco of Pepeekeo, mother, Pauline Astrande of Keaau, father, Warlito Astrande of Keaau; partner, Hokulani Wela of Keaau; a granddaughter, a nephew, an uncle, aunts and cousins.
Foes of death penalty offer spiritual support at executions
NEW YORK — After Sister Barbara Battista, a Roman Catholic nun staunchly opposed to the death penalty, agreed to accompany a condemned man at his execution in federal prison, she wondered doubtfully, “Am I just part of this whole killing machine?”
Rethinking the border ‘crisis’
Though often called a “crisis,” what’s happening at the U.S-Mexico border can be more accurately described as an ongoing tragedy, a national shame and a violation of human rights. That’s how history will remember it, at least.
Survey: NSF should fund TMT; but Astro2020 also notes numerous challenges
It would be “disastrous” for astronomy in the United States if the federal government does not invest in the Thirty Meter Telescope, according to a survey released this morning.
Blankets donated to Yukio Okutsu Veterans State Home
Members of the Zonta Club of Hilo, Hilo Hongwanji Betsuin Big Island Women Association, Church of the Holy Apostles, Daughters of the American Revolution and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3830-Pahoa Auxiliary recently presented lap blankets and “fidget or busy blankets” for veterans and dementia patients at the Okutsu Veterans State Home in Hilo.
